Raptors’ all-time starting 5: Players who never made playoffs in Toronto

C: Marcus Camby

After a rough first season where the Raptors won just 21 games, they moved up to second in the draft lottery and selected Camby. The 6-11 big man became Toronto’s starting center during his rookie season where he averaged 14.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.0 steal, and 2.1 blocks in 30.1 minutes per game. His number improved across the board in year two along with leading the NBA in blocks, but that would be his final year in Toronto.

The Raptors need a veteran in 1998 to protect Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, so they jumped at the chance to acquire Charles Oakley. The 35-year-old big man was already past his prime, but he did help Toronto make the franchise’s first playoff appearance in 2000.

Marcus Camby was given up on too soon by the Toronto Raptors.

Camby made four All-Defensive teams, lead the league in blocks four times, and won Defensive Player of the Year in 2007. Oakley had been retired for three years as Camby continued to win awards. Camby also helped the Knicks reach the NBA Finals during his first season in New York.

The Toronto Raptors gave up on Marcus Camby too soon, and he is unquestionably one of the five best players in franchise history that failed to reach the playoffs in Toronto. Camby shined with the Knicks, and he went on to have a 17-year NBA career where he played for six different teams.